British Caledonian Tribute

[MrCricketrulz64]

quantas is better



[googleisshittoss]

@MrCricketrulz64 Well, not really much point in that comment...As BCal no longer exist anyhow ;-)

[MrCricketrulz64]

@MrCricketrulz64 ok i ment was better

[saarabelle]

The Best airline that ever was.......the people were incredible.....todays airlines could learn from BCAL

[googleisshittoss]

@saarabelle Yup...you get my vote for that comment :)

[MrRonnieG]

Richard Havers hired me as one of 3 for BCal's 1982 venture into LAX for air cargo. Told me I was off to London for 10 days of orientation and to "sit tight" and wait. After a couple of weeks I called him and he got all bent out of shape at me so I decided BCal could screw themselves. Finally, a couple days before I was to leave for London (via Houston) he started calling but by then I had decided I wanted no part of Havers, his ways or BCal. Don't remember how long they lasted at LAX.

[luuuuukeeeeeeeeee]

my mum used to be a purser (cabin crew) for them :)

[stronab]

This jingle has run in my head every so often since I was a boy. My dad, mum, sister and I flew BCal to and from Dad's various postings. How I loved that airline. Every time I saw the livery at an outstation it was like I was home already.

I'd never found the music until your tribute video. I had no idea that that was the jingle that was coming up. I expected "I Wish They All Could Be...."

I know this sounds soft, but it was such an emotional delight that I'm crying. For me, but mostly for BCal.

[googleisshittoss]

@stronab Aw man...I feel exactly the same when I hear it too...you're not alone on that one!...it's evocative of times gone by...I'm so glad it brought some memories back for you.....thanks for your comment :)

[piperbob2]

I was fortunate to have been a B. Cal. Piper in the 70's and 80's and practised with some of the top musicians on the planet.  What opportunities - B. Cal's Liz Ross would phone us up to send us to exotic places, at the behest of embassies, heads of state, TV companies and the like.

[googleisshittoss]

@piperbob2 Lucky Bugger!..lol

I bet that was fantastic fun!

[googleisshittoss]

I don't have the space here to post on why I think B'Cal were the best I flew with...suffice to say, the Stewardess on a B'cal flight to Jersey, helped me more than she'll ever know, after just losing my Mum to Cancer when I was 10 yrs old

[googleisshittoss]

@googleisshittoss and I made this video as a thank you to her..God bless you Madam, whoever you were :)

[TheMCEurope]

well you are entitled to your opinion. Bcal were the best independant airline of their time.

[paulwhippett]

OK. Back in the late 70's, 80's, & 90's I spent a lot of time flying to and from the Canary Islands. With my work and family commitments. Sometimes I would fly with BCAL. They were always late, delayed or even broke down once It was boarded. Sitting on a plane for hours in the sometimes intense heat with no air con or refreshments and not even a explanation why. I must say all my friends & family avoided BCAL if it was possible. Britannia, Air 2000 or Spanair were by far much better.

[merlangus1]

@paulwhippett

Like your spelling!! Get a life. Best airline of its time.Period!

[googleisshittoss]

@paulwhippett well, everyone is entitled to their opinion I suppose, but just stating They were 'Crap' isn't much use to anyone is it?

[vbeboy]

Oh I wish you had the original advert! But excellent all the same!! Thanks

[googleisshittoss]

@vbeboy me too mate!.... I can only remember snippets! :(

If you ever find it, please drop by and let me know?

thanks for your comment

[googleisshittoss]

B'Cal had a varied fleet of Aircraft too...not like the Boring Airbus / 757 days today

[knaphilllee]

Oh How I miss working for them followed by Caledonian!!!

[googleisshittoss]

@knaphilllee ...Yes, it was a sad day when they went..... all just a cattle truck service these days

[charlieboy77]

Great video...... especially how you have synched the bass of the music to when you look into that "Hawaii 5-0" engine.... took me right back to the 70's and 80's!

And yes I canver forget the at one time we did have a choice! :)

Great

[googleisshittoss]

@charlieboy77 Thank you very much for your comment...glad you enjoyed it :)

[iolani77]

I seem to remember the original ad featured a Boeing 707 taking off. Possibly shots of Rio de Janeiro. Anyone know if I am correct?

[googleisshittoss]

Yes, I think it was a 707...all i really remember is the belly-shot and undercarriage retracting.

Thanks for commenting :)

[iolani77]

Sadly missed airline. I frequently used BCal from Glasgow in its heyday.

It also flew regular holiday charters.

Didn't the airline own CHM hotels and the "Blue Sky" tour operator?

Might be a niche in the market for it to be recreated.

[googleisshittoss]

Yeah..hmm...Not sure I would want to be an Airline at the moment..with all the Climate Change issues/new regulations/fuel prices as they are

[iolani77]

Yes, fair points and I agree. It was the overall image and product styling I was thinking is lacking from the airline sector in Britain. Perhaps no longer viable, but in adapted/updated form.....

Thanks and best wishes.

[googleisshittoss]

Yes...I really believe that the demise of Bcal was the end of an era...it's all just cheap, poor service cattle-trucks of the skies now!...sad

[mccals]

What a great song! BCal was the best and still is the best airline!

Where did you get that song and is there still a video from that tv commercial?

[googleisshittoss]

Hi Mccals,

Yes, it's a classic song eh?..I don't think the original ad is available (I have searched high and low)..but the song is on Clare Torry's CD "Heaven in the Sky"

Thanks for commenting